WINNSBORO – An otherwise mundane, by the numbers County Council meeting degenerated into utter chaos during its waning minutes Monday night with Fairfield County Sheriff’s deputies helping to facilitate a walkout of the majority of the chambers’ occupants, while one member of the audience was held back from storming the Council platform. The disorder spilled over even into the audience after the meeting, as one candidate for a County Council seat endured some loud and angry words from one of his opponents.
The tipping point came during County Council time when Councilman Kamau Marcharia (District 4) launched a tirade against the county’s two newspapers – one, according to Marcharia, for the way it attempted to sew dissent among the African-American community; and the other for a full-page political action committee ad. The ad, printed in last week’s (and this week’s) edition of The Independent Voice, contained nothing but lies, Marcharia said.
Marcharia said he would not tolerate the dissemination of such false information, and that he was determined to get to the bottom of who was responsible – ignoring completely the telephone number printed at the bottom of the advertisement.
After several painful minutes of Marcharia’s screed, the audience finally responded with groans that grew from grumbles to noisy dissent. When Marcharia called on Chairman David Ferguson (District 5) to clear the room, many of the detractors rose and began to exit. Although it is not entirely clear to whom Marcharia directed his parting comments, what is clear was his statement to one of the members of the audience.
“You’re the biggest liar in here,” Marcharia said.
The epithet struck a nerve in Jeff Schaffer, a resident of the Lake Monticello community in District 4 and an outspoken critic of County Council. Schaffer stomped toward the platform, chanting repeatedly, “Are you calling me a liar?” before being held back by a gentleman sitting in the front row.
Once deputies had cleared the chambers, Marcharia asked Ferguson to restore before the platform the length of plastic chain that has for most of this year served as a barrier between Council and the public.
Business
Before the train completely left the rails Monday night, Council did conduct some actual business. Council held first reading of an ordinance to purchase and develop 3.36 acres of property at the intersection of Shoemaker and Center Creek roads for a County mini park. Council also passed second reading of an ordinance to rezone from B-2 (General Business District) to RD-1 (Rural Residential District) .46 acres at 2183 Dave Cole Road in Blair.
The COG
Council gave approval to an agreement with the Central Midlands Council of Governments (COG) to develop a county wide strategic plan for the use of future revenues from the two new reactors under construction at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station in Jenkinsville. Milton Pope, interim County Administrator, told Council that the COG had developed a “conceptual framework for the plan,” which includes a community master plan, an economic development plan and a financial plan.
“One of the COG’s primary responsibilities as project manager will be to develop requests for proposals (RFP) to procure consultant services to assist with the development of the plan,” Pope said.
Pope said the COG will work with the County to establish a Project Advisory Committee “to help guide the planning process.” The committee will include a “wide cross-section of stakeholders,” Pope said, “who can provide guidance on specific community needs, issues and opportunities.”
Once the consultant contract is in place, Pope said, the COG will work with the County to develop a community outreach program to engage the community in the planning process. The plan will provide a comprehensive, prioritized project list and implementation time line, Pope said, that will be analyzed in the context of existing and future revenue streams.
WINNSBORO – Two weeks after an approximately 50-foot portion of retaining wall collapsed around the new football field at Drawdy Park last January, County Council voted to hire an engineering firm to inspect other projects performed for the County by the firm responsible for the faulty wall. Nine months later, according to a draft document obtained last week by The Voice through a Freedom of Information Act request, very little, apparently, has been done.
According to the document from Goodwin, Mills and Cawood, Inc. of Greenville, S.C., signed by project manager Greg Edrington and stamped Sept. 17, engineers have, since Council’s vote on Jan. 27, performed preliminary inspections on five Fairfield County buildings, all either constructed from the ground up or significantly remodeled by S2 Engineering and Consulting. Those buildings include the Fairfield County Commerce Center, the Coroner’s building, the County Probation building, the Public Works building and the Voter Registration building.
Commerce Center
The centerpiece of the County’s new industrial park, the Center was constructed in 2011 of a pre-engineered metal frame with slab on grade foundation. According to the preliminary draft document, “visual inspection cannot confirm slab thickness, reinforcement, depth of turn down at slab edge or presence and sizes of footers.”
Potential Structural Deficiencies
“Based on construction photographs observed during inspection and exposure of free-formed concrete on exterior perimeter foundations, it appears that there are no spread footers present. Lack of foundations may render the structural stability inadequate per IBC (International Building Code) wind loading requirements. Further investigation is needed to confirm the presence of foundations.”
Potential Maintenance Deficiencies
No sealant or caulking at sills are present under entrance doors or storefront.
Window detailing does not provide drip ledge for head locations at windows, thus allowing moisture penetration over time.
Water supply piping is not adequately protected against freezing. Additionally, condensation drain allows for standing water at foundation.
Lack of gutters and downspouts allows staining at water table stone and potential moisture penetration at fascia and soffit.
Coroner’s Building
Constructed in approximately 2009 of metal frame with concrete slab on grade foundation. “Construction photographs provided by the owner for this building confirm that no footers are present under this building,” the preliminary report states. “Slab thickness, reinforcement or depth of turn down at slab edge cannot be confirmed.”
Potential Maintenance Deficiencies
Insufficient drainage at perimeter of building allows for standing water, which could lead to settlement issues.
Detailing at existing window is inadequate for moisture penetration left of front door.
Condensation drain is not properly routed on the exterior of the building to prevent metal panel corrosion.
Probation Building
Constructed in approximately 2010 of pre-engineered metal frame with concrete slab on grade foundation. “Visual inspection cannot confirm slab thickness, reinforcement, depth of turn down at slab edge or presence and sizes of footers.”
Potential Maintenance Deficiencies
Insufficient drainage at perimeter of building allows for standing water, which could lead to settlement issues.
Exterior landing too low and walkway too high at front door, which allows for standing water and moisture penetration to the interior.
Public Works
Constructed in approximately 2010 of pre-engineered metal frame with concrete slab on grade foundation. “Visual inspection cannot confirm slab thickness, reinforcement, depth of turn down at slab edge or presence and sizes of footers.”
Potential Structural Deficiencies
Incorrect purlin rollover bracing is present in interior back room.
Potential Maintenance Deficiencies
Insufficient drainage at perimeter of building allows for standing water, which could lead to settlement issues.
Voter Registration
Existing building modified by S2 for current use. “There are no anticipated structural issues with this structure,” the preliminary draft report states.
Information Not Available
“Building supplier information was not available for this structure, therefore, it was not possible to determine building framing adequacy for the required code loadings. Should building supplier information become available, further investigation can confirm framing adequacy.”
This notation was repeated over and over throughout the preliminary draft report for each of the buildings inspected. For the Coroner’s building, the Probation building and the Public Works building, an additional notation states “Foundation information was not available for this structure, therefore it was not possible to determine foundation adequacy.”
Inspections Ongoing
Milton Pope, Fairfield County’s interim Administrator, told The Voice this week that the document represented only a preliminary, initial inspection of the properties and said additional inspections would take place.
Between December 2009 and September 2013, the County spent more than $8.76 million with S2 on projects that include the above listed in the draft report, as well as including the Drawdy Park football field and retaining wall, improvements to the HON Building and mold removal at the Courthouse. In February, the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) opened an investigation into the County’s procurement practices, focusing specifically, sources told The Voice, on the County’s relationship with S2, a firm owned and operated by Sam Savage. While records indicate that most, if not all, of these projects were not put out for bid, Pope said during Council’s Feb. 10 meeting that S2 was one of several firms on a list of firms approved for County work by then Administrator Phil Hinely. Since Pope’s arrival as Interim last summer, the County has returned to a more conventional procurement process, putting projects and purchases out for bid in accordance with County policy.
WINNSBORO – The state’s highest law enforcement agency has launched a preliminary probe into allegations of improprieties in the Oct. 14 Democratic primary runoff for the special election of a new Fairfield County Sheriff, a spokesperson for the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) confirmed Tuesday.
Debbie Stidham, Director of Fairfield County Voter Registration and Elections, said she received complaints from two independent sources following the Oct. 14 runoff, which Richland County Sheriff’s deputy Will Montgomery won with 2,787 votes over Fairfield County Chief Deputy Keith Lewis’s 2,168 votes. The complaints, she said, involved money allegedly changing hands in exchange for votes. Stidham said she forwarded those complaints to Dunstan Padgett, Fairfield County’s interim Sheriff since the resignation of Herman Young last summer, and Padgett, according to protocol, notified SLED.
“We have received a complaint and we are reviewing it,” Thom Berry, a spokesperson for SLED, said Tuesday. “We will conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether or not a potentially criminal act took place and, if so, that will trigger a full investigation.”
Stidham said her office was contacted by a SLED agent last week.
“We received reports of irregularities – bribes – from two different sources,” Stidham said. “We thought it was best to be proactive about it.”
Who was allegedly paying who to vote for which candidate, however, was not revealed at press time.
Montgomery and Lewis were the last two Democratic candidates standing after the Sept. 30 primary that also included Ricky Gibson, John Seibles and Odell Glenn. An additional 177 voters cast their ballots in the Oct. 14 runoff than did in the Sept. 30 primary.
No Republicans declared for the office; and unless the SLED investigation drastically alters the landscape, Montgomery will be the only name on the Nov. 18 special election ballot. Write-in candidates may make a run at the office, but not if they have already been rejected by voters in the primary.
Ready for a long trip to Paris, France? How does 4,208 miles across the Atlantic sound? Much too far? No passport? Well no need to fret. You don’t have to fly to Paris. Just drive 40 miles southwest to the Lake Murray Dam and you’ll see a touch of Paris and more. The Pont des Arts footbridge in Paris is where thousands of couples lock padlocks to a fence-like rail. They inscribe their names and messages onto the locks and throw the keys into the River Seine to eternalize their enduring love. There for all to see is an unbreakable bond.
You can see symbols of enduring love in the Midlands too. Paris’s “love locks” have crossed the Atlantic to festoon the fence at Lake Murray Dam. What captures your emotions are the many locks and the sentiment and emotional messages they send. I drove over to the dam on a sultry September afternoon. Billowing thunderheads shot into the sky, their images reflected onto Lake Murray. As I drove over the dam to the Lexington County side I saw all types of locks glittering in late summer sunlight.
The locks celebrate romance, the birth of babies, and sadly they offer up sentiment for the dearly departed. One lock gave the birth and death dates of one soul along with the words, “God Only Knows.” One lock secured a giant red heart to the fence. Two locks had sparkling glitter glued to them. The fence amounts to an art gallery in a way. People express love in creative ways. If you go, see if you can find the antique lock covered in rust. It’s a lock from yesteryear that requires a key like great grandparents used.
When you’ve taken in all the locks and their messages, be sure to walk the dam. Across the dam and back is 3.4 miles, a decent walk but walking it in the heat of the day can be taxing. Why not plan a fall walk when the humidity is low. If you do, you can see the skyline of Columbia down river. On the dam’s lake side, you’ll see a huge expanse of deep water flecked white with sails and power boats’ feathery wakes.
You’ll be walking over a historic spot too. The Lake Murray Dam, officially known as Dreher Shoals Dam, possesses a rich history. General Robert E. Lee’s Engineering Corps first envisioned a waterpower facility where the dam stands. The dam was built from 1927 to 1930 and at the time it was the world’s largest earthen dam. The Midland’s signature lake takes its name from William S. Murray, an engineer involved in the dam’s design and creation. When you walk the dam, you tread across an engineering miracle. The Dreher Shoals Dam runs approximately 1.5 miles long and stands 213 feet high. It holds back an impoundment 41 miles long and 14 miles wide at its widest point. The lake’s surface covers approximately 48,000 acres. All that water forms a 640-mile shoreline. Head down to Lake Murray and enjoy a touch of Paris. Choose a clear blue October or November day and fall foliage will make the journey all the prettier.
If You Go …
Dreher Shoals Dam
Just outside Irmo on Highway 6
Park for free in the area reserved for dam walkers
Learn more about Tom Poland, a Southern writer, and his work at www.tompoland.net. Email day-trip ideas to him at tompol@earthlink.net.
BLYTHEWOOD – Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to end the prospect that it would finance the construction of a fine dining restaurant in the Doko Park adjacent to the Town Hall in downtown Blythewood. A resolution designed to dissolve the project and pay off a loan taken out to build the facility stated that “it was not in the best interest of the people of the Town of Blythewood to incur, directly or indirectly, any additional debt in connection with Doko Manor, the park and any ancillary uses.”
Mayor J. Michael Ross said the move was prompted by a payment due on a $900,000+ loan the Town took out two years ago from the S.C. Public Service Authority (Santee-Cooper) to help pay for the restaurant construction. The Town had planned to use that loan and a $456,000 grant from Fairfield Electric Cooperative to finance the $1.4 million restaurant. Interest on the $900,000 low-interest loan costs the Town $18,000 annually to keep the loan for later use. The payoff fee is also $18,000.
The restaurant was the brainchild of former Town Administrator John Perry who had planned it to compliment The Manor as its exclusive catering facility. After Perry left the Town’s employ last December, the current Council voted not to move forward with the construction of the restaurant, but to try to find an established restaurateur, agent or developer to construct the restaurant jointly with the Town, using the Town’s loan and grant. But no prospects materialized.
“I think we just came to the conclusion that this was not going to work in a way that we’d hoped,” Ross said on Monday evening. “It was too much liability for the Town, so we have an opportunity to pay this off and that’s what this resolution is about.”
WINNSBORO – A Winnsboro man was arrested at a hotel in Florence last week, less than two days after police say he robbed a North Congress Street liquor store at gunpoint.
James Carter “J.C.” Hewitt was arrested by Florence police just after 1 a.m. on Oct. 19 in the lobby of a hotel in Florence. Hewitt, who at press time was being held at the Fairfield County Detention Center, is charged with the Oct. 17 armed robbery of Jackie’s package store at 405 North Congress St. in Winnsboro.
Freddie Lorick, Chief of Winnsboro Public Safety, said Hewitt, 36, of 220 Holly St., walked into Jackie’s at approximately 6:20 p.m. on Oct. 17 wearing a ski mask and brandishing a handgun. Hewitt reportedly approached the clerk on duty, pointed the gun at her and demanded money. The clerk, Lorick said, recognized Hewitt’s voice and could not believe, for a moment at least, that he was serious.
“She said, ‘J.C., I know you. You’re joking’,” Lorick said.
Hewitt was, however, quite serious. He took between $400 and $1,000 from the register, left the store and got into a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, in which he sped away. Hewitt operates a garage on Columbia Road, and the Jeep, Lorick said, belonged to a customer who had left it with Hewitt for repairs.
Hewitt drove the Jeep to a home on Hilltop Road where he asked a friend living there for a ride to Myrtle Beach. When the friend refused, Hewitt took the keys to his friend’s 2000 Honda CVR and hit the highway. He made it as far as Florence, where he stopped at a hotel.
At the hotel, Hewitt got as far as the lobby before a heart condition prompted his loss of consciousness, Lorick said. When Hewitt passed out, the gun used in the robbery fell out of his pants and the hotel clerk called the Florence police. Hewitt was returned to Winnsboro the following morning, Lorick said.
Andrea HarrisonCarl Jackson Jr.Henry MillerMarvin RobertsonBeth Reid
WINNSBORO – With the Nov. 4 general elections only weeks away, The Voice is offering a series of brief question and answer sessions with candidates for County Council, School Board and Sixth Circuit Solicitor. This week, we hear from candidates for Fairfield County School Board districts 1, 3, 5 and 7. Only District 1 is offering a competitive race, as incumbent Andrea Harrison defends her seat against Marvin Robertson. All other races are unopposed.
We Asked:
1. Please provide a brief history of your education, training and employment.
2. Briefly describe any leadership roles you have taken in education, initiatives implemented, challenges faced, goals accomplished.
3. What do you see as the greatest challenge facing the Fairfield County School District and describe how your would meet that challenge?
4. What, in your mind, is the ideal role of a School Board member? How do you fit that image?
5. How would you classify the current direction of the School District? Is it moving in the right direction? The wrong direction? And if it is, in your opinion, moving in the wrong direction, how would you correct that course?
They Said:
District 1
Andrea Harrison (incumbent)
1. I am a proud product of the Fairfield County School District and I am currently enrolled as a student at Midlands Technical College. I was previously employed with Verizon Wireless.
2. The main leadership role that I have taken is simply having high standards in providing excellent and outstanding educational opportunities for the children of this district. Unfortunately, as Board members we are unable to take leadership roles in implementing initiatives, but I would hope that I have provided some constructive ideas to administration which they may have utilized in some way in the progression of the district. I constantly attempt to encourage us to work as a group with the same vision by conducting business in an ethical and moral manner in an effort to regain the confidence of this community, which is one of my major goals. In my opinion, there are no challenges, only opportunities to create a nationally recognized school district which is a major goal that I know we can accomplish.
3. The greatest challenge that I currently see is simply ensuring that we are pursuing innovative and creative ways of delivering education to our students. We must become and remain cutting edge to maintain student engagement in the classroom and beyond. As a board member, my part in meeting that challenge is responsibly supporting those innovative initiatives proposed by administration to attain our goals and mission.
4. There is no ideal role. Our role is very much defined. As with any other type “board” we are an oversight committee. Our job is to ensure the vision set for the advancement of the district is carried out according to policy and law, that taxpayer dollars are being utilizes properly, ethically and morally according to policy and the law, and establishing solid polices that will be a foundation of advancement for boards, administration and the district in the future. I am a responsible board member because I fully comprehend and abide by the roles and responsibilities of a board member.
5. As with any school district anywhere we have our issues. My belief is, when you have an issue you correct it, which I absolutely hope we are taking and creating every opportunity to do. When corrective action is taken with an attitude of a positive outcome, we have no choice but to move in the right direction and I do believe we are on our way.
Marvin Robertson
1. I’m a CNC operator at Spirax Sarco. I received my CNC degree from Midland Technical College. I’ve been employed with Spirax Sarco for 16 years. I also attended South Carolina State University for 2 1/2 years.
2. I have taken a personal education with my own children. I’ve been coaching recreational sports for the last 18 years.
3. My greatest challenge is improving school facilities, so they can be updated like other schools in South Carolina. I will work with the superintendent on planning for upcoming funds.
4. To be a voice for my community and a strategic board member on helping the superintendent of being part of the policy setting group.
5. The school board is moving slowly in the right direction, but if elected I will work hard to help the school board members and superintendent with goals ad mild improvements.
District 3
Henry Miller (incumbent)
1. 1974 graduate of Winnsboro High School; Attended Midland Technical College, Rock Hurst University, and Zingler Miller Institute – Specialized Supervisory Training; 8 years of service as a school board member; South Carolina School Board Association Level 6 Certification which is the highest level that one can achieve; Served 6 years on Fairfield County Behavior Board; Served 2 year on the Fairfield County Hospital Board; Supervisor for Michelin Tire Company for 23 years – Retired.
2. As a team member of the current school board of trustees, I have worked with the superintendent to enhance the use of technology for students in grades Pre-k – 12. One of our newest initiatives focuses on students bringing their own devices. We are currently working together to provide access to students to utilize chrome books, IPads and laptops at home and school; Working with the superintendent to increase the number of students participating in the STEM initiative and career center programs to include Engineering, Bio-Medical Science and other 21st century courses; Working together building a new career center
3. The greatest challenge I see facing Fairfield County School is working together to provide an early intervention program that will focus on children learning to read at the Pre-k4 level. I will meet the challenge by assisting to secure adequate Federal and State funding to secure early intervention programs for our students.
4. My ideal role of a school board member is to govern as a body and not as an individual. I am a team player that works well with others which includes the superintendent and the board.
5. Fairfield County School District is currently moving in the right direction. It is my desire that we continue to work together to enhance a culture of “Excellence Through Team Work.”
District 5
Carl E. Jackson Jr.
1. I grew up in Fairfield County. I served 3yrs. 8 mo. 11days in the U.S. Air Force. Undergraduate diploma received from Fairfield High School. Bachelor of Arts-Benedict College. Master’s Degree and 30+hrs.-USC at Columbia, S.C.
2. I have served as an educator in Fairfield County for 35 yrs. I served as teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, District Office Coordinator of Attendance, Adult Education teacher and Director; and Summer School Coordinator.
3. The greatest challenge facing the school district is to prepare our students for the current and future workforce. The academic technology is in place. We have to instill in the students the social skills to succeed by being dependable, reliable, and trainable.
4. I believe that Board Members should support the administration in the task of providing adequate teachers, facilities, and curriculum for the success of our students.
5. Currently, I believe that we are moving in the right direction with the curriculum, teachers, and facilities. We have to maintain proper support in every way that we can.
District 7
Elizabeth Reid (incumbent)
1. I hold graduate and undergraduate degrees in education from Winthrop University and the College of Charleston, respectively. I’ve spent more than 30 years in education and currently am employed as the Director of Elementary and Middle Schools at South Carolina Virtual Charter School.
2. My current position at SC Virtual Charter School has been a challenge. Being in an innovative situation, ensuring quality instruction to around 2000 k-8 students, and bringing a different approach to public education in SC has been exciting and fulfilling. Although I have accepted and embraced other leadership roles, the FCSD board of trustees has been the most challenging. My belief is that we have worked to regain the public trust as well as continuing to bring quality educational opportunities to all children in Fairfield County.
3. The greatest challenge is to continue the path that we’ve started. The leadership in place is accomplishing monumental goals and the current and future boards must continue to allow the leadership to lead, never reverting to the previous practice of micromanagement.
4. School board members must remember and practice their roles as policy makers with only one employee. Having worked for and served on various boards has given me the understanding of the importance of the role of the board member and I will continue to model that role.
5. I am thrilled with the direction of Fairfield County School District. I am hopeful that we continue to stay the course by providing excellent leadership for the school district.
WINNSBORO – State Sen. Creighton Coleman (D-17) and Rep. MaryGail Douglas (D-41) will host a town hall meeting on Oct. 30 in the Fairfield Central High School auditorium, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. As the delegation makes plans to go back to session in January, they are interested in issues that are of concern to the public. The delegation asks the public to provide their concerns and interests in writing.
WINNSBORO – The Fairfield County School District improved as a whole, while individual schools edged up or held steady over last year’s grades, according to letter grades released this week by the S.C. Department of Education. The grading system is part of the Federal Accountability System’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), with grades ranging from A to F.
The District overall earned a letter grade of C, with 72.4 total points. That is up from last year’s grade of D and 63.8 points.
Fairfield Central High School also earned a C in 2014 with 78.1 points, up from last year’s grade of D and 64.4 points.
Fairfield Middle School improved from last year’s 48.5 total points and a letter grade of F to 61.3 points and a letter grade of D in 2014.
The Magnet School for Math and Science dropped a few points, from 99.2 last year to 95.2 in 2014, but held onto its letter grade of A.
Geiger Elementary improved from 65.1 points and a letter grade of D in 2013 to 79.7 points and a letter grade of C in 2014.
Kelly Miller Elementary also improved, turning last year’s grade of C (72.7 points) to a B (80.5 points) in 2014.
The McCrorey-Liston School of Technology lost a few points, from 84.8 in 2013 to 83.7 in 2014, but maintained its letter grade of B.
Fairfield Elementary, while lifting its total points from 39 last year to 50.6 in 2014, was hit with its second consecutive letter grade of F.
RIDGEWAY – Candidates running in the Nov. 4 election for Fairfield County Council District 1 participated in a forum sponsored by the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce at The Century House in Ridgeway on Sept. 25. They included incumbent Dwayne Perry, Dan Ruff and Michael Squirewell.
The moderator, attorney Mike Kelly, who is serving this year as the president of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, first asked the candidates to share information about their background, education and training. All three said they were raised in Fairfield County. Most of the questions asked came from the audience.
Background
Dwayne Perry: I graduated from Winnsboro High School and hold a BS Degree in Management Science from the University of South Carolina. I served on the Board of Directors for the Fairfield Chamber and the Hospital Board. I moved back to the County in 1998 and was elected to Fairfield County Council in 2008.
Dan Ruff: I’m a sixth generation Ruff in Ridgeway, so I’ve been around here for a long time. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Finance from Erskine College. I served two terms on the Ridgeway Town Council, was named Citizen of the Year for Ridgeway in 2010 and I’ve owned and operated Ruff and Company for over 30 years. I have served on the Board of Directors of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, the Bank of Ridgeway and Community Resource Bank for about 10 years. I’ve served as a deacon or elder at Aimwell Presbyterian Church for 30 years and as a volunteer for the Ridgeway Fire Department for many years.
Michael Squirewell: I was born and raised in Ridgeway and graduated from Winthrop College. It’s a pleasure to be able to serve this community. I’m a lifetime member of Lebanon Presbyterian Church where I serve as an elder. I’ve been in the construction business for over 20 years. I am here to serve you. I’m not here because someone has put me in this race. I’m seriously dedicated to what I do.
What Industry Would You Pursue to Diversify Our Economy?
Perry: When I was running for County Council I focused on economic development throughout the County and improved recreation as well. We’re known for manufacturing in this county. The jobs we have now are from manufacturing. I would like to see more white collar jobs in addition to manufacturing. The goal is jobs that people have the skill sets for. After manufacturing, then we should bring technology in.
Ruff: I think we could recruit retirement communities, tourism and capitalize on Lake Wateree, Lake Monticello and other resort areas. I think if we would recruit timber industry there are some secondary industries that would follow. Along the I-77 corridor we should look at outlet malls and call centers and other things like that. Traditional manufacturing is great for the county, but we definitely need to diversify.
Squirewell: We need to understand what industries compliment the County. Utilities are an area that is under-tapped for the land mass we have. We need to continue to pursue utilities. With the corridor through the middle of the County, we need to pursue different businesses. Manufacturing is what’s been allowed to happen here. But I think we now understand that products in China aren’t wanted anymore. We have to pursue those industries that work for Fairfield County. Manufacturing will be one of them.
What Do You Advise to Reduce The High Property Taxes in Fairfield County?
Dan: We need to start with good government, be transparent and forthright with everything we do. We may have made some mistakes, but we can do something about it in the future. We must use our resources more wisely to reduce taxes presently. In the near future, we have two new reactors and I think we can use that revenue to reduce taxes. But we really need to start now better managing the resources we have and operate more efficiently.
Squirewell: We have not been kind to businesses overall. We need to do a better job of recruiting businesses and lower taxes on businesses. We are spending money in areas we need to be saving. There are some areas we could improve in. We’re taxing at rates we were taxing in 2006 and 2007. We’re being taxed entirely too high. We have to recruit businesses by making it attractive for them to come here.
Perry: From the tax base, that’s how government is funded. Unlike businesses, where we can sell more product to increase our revenue, we have a predetermined amount of revenue that we can get, based on the number of households or businesses that we have to count. So the first thing we want to look at is increasing our revenue. It comes from areas like this — by recruiting industry to help share that tax base. The other way is to cut services, such as deputy sheriffs, EMS or fire stations. That hurts people. The best way to reduce taxes is to bring industry and be frugal in how we spend the County’s money.
Would You Support a Two-Consecutive Term Limit on County Council?
Squirewell: Yes.
Perry: That’s a Catch-22. It’s always good to have new people. On the other hand, if you have someone doing an outstanding job and you really believe in what they’re doing, then if it’s not broke, why would you need to fix it?
Ruff: I am definitely in favor of a term limit. Two terms is long enough.
Would You Support Ending the County Providing Free Cell Phones, Home Internet Service and Mileage Reimbursement to and from Regular Meetings for Council Members?
Perry: Right now, we don’t get reimbursed for mileage to and from Council meetings. I have not collected any mileage this year.
Ruff: I don’t know what perks the Council members get, but I’m fine with none of them. I don’t get them in my business. I’m here to serve and help the county as best I can, so no perks is fine with me.
Squirewell: I’m like Dan. I work for myself and I promise you if I don’t kill it, I don’t eat it. I’m also in favor of reducing Council salaries. I don’t see it beneficial that we’re paying full salaries for less than part time positions on Council. It doesn’t make sense to me.
